Athena Classic.

The 2014 Athena Classic lived up to its billing Saturday, April 19 pitting 80 women from 25 CrossFit affiliates and three states against three fierce workouts to land a spot in the finals, where the top 12 warriors battled for bragging rights, trophies, and almost $3,000 in cash and prizes. The Athena Classic returns to Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights Saturday, April 18, 2015.

Liza Nelson, 44, CrossFit Carbon, Vernon Hills, took top honors in the Master’s Division for the second consecutive year, but not without a scare from division runner-up Jennifer Benson, 40, Big City CrossFit, Chicago. Benson set her sights on denying Nelson a repeat, and with just three points separating the competitors, Benson’s path to the crown was clear: beat Nelson in Workout #4, and hope the other two finalists, Deb Pirkel, 46, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison, and Jodi Corbit, 40, CrossFit Connex, Madison, bested Nelson. Benson did her part and placed first in the workout, but Nelson failed to do her part and finished a strong second. Rounding out the Master’s Division was Pirkel in third and Corbit in fourth.

Anna Schmidt, 24, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison, had a lock on the Open Division entering the finals; as long as she didn’t self-destruct, the championship was hers. Not so with Ashley Beerens, 27, CrossFit Northpoint, Waukegan, and Anne-Lisa Maag, 30, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison, who waged a mighty battle throughout Workout #4 to determine finishing positions. In the end, Beerens bested Maag, and the competitors finished in second and third place, respectively. Amber Earleywine, 29, CrossFit Sanctify, won the final workout, but ninth place finishes in Workout #2 and Workout #3 cost her a spot on the podium; she finished fourth. Rounding out the top eight in the Open Division were: Christie Suligoy, 24, CrossFit Construct, Chicago; Jennifer McDade, 36, Fit Bodies CrossFit, Bloomington; Alexandra Buth, 27, CrossFit Connex, Madison; and Emily Gorman, 24, CrossFit Northpoint, Waukegan. Visit the Athena Classic Event Page for links to the Leaderboard, Workout Scoring, Photo Albums and more.

In a day filled with stellar athletic performances, a series of most memorable moments came from Master’s Division athlete Jodi Marino, 58, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison. An accident left Marino with exceptionally limited use of her arm – but full access to her competitive spirit and drive. Marino attacked all three Athena Classic workouts, inspiring competitors , volunteers and spectators, and leaving many to question their litany of excuses for why they don’t set challenging goals and work without fail to achieve them.

Thanks to the following companies for their support of the 2017 Athena Classic. Show them some love by visiting their website and social media accounts to say “thanks!” … and by talking them up to your friends and fellow athletes. Of course, the best “thank you” you can give is to spend money with these good folks!

May 4, 2016 | Save the Date! The Athena Classic returns to Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights Saturday, April 22, 2017. Hope to see you there!

April 16, 2016 | Thanks to Our Contributors! Thanks to the following companies for their support of the 2016 Athena Classic. Show them some love by visiting their website and social media accounts to say “thanks!”, and by talking them up to your friends and fellow athletes. Of course, the best “thank you” you can give is to spend money with these good folks!

April 7, 2016 | Special Offer From The Sox Box. Thanks, Sox Box, for your support of the 2016 Athena Calssic. Competitors, Spectators & Fans … Use the special coupon code arlingtonCF and save 10% on all purchases. Visit thesoxbox.com today. Offer valid through April 30.

April 6, 2016 | Competitor Update Released. The following Competitor Update was emailed to all Athena Classic competitors today.

April 5, 2016 | Tentative Heat Schedule Now Posted. The initial Heat Schedule is now posted. Click here for a Print & Go copy. The Heat Schedule is tentative until further notice, but this initial posting should give competitors a general idea of how to plan their day. Athletes are not required to be present for the 7:30 a.m., Workout #1 & #2 Briefing, but will do so at their own risk. There will be no explanation of the workouts outside of the morning & afternoon briefings. And if you’ve competed in prior year Athena Classic or Tandem Throwdown events, you know that once we start the training rolling, it doesn’t slow or stop. We take great pride in running our events on schedule, and we appreciate your help in doing so by being informed, warmed up, and ready to go at your posted heat start time.

April 2, 2016 | The 2016 Athena Classic Workouts Announced. The 2016 Athena Classic Workouts are now posted. Click here for a Print & Go copy. Competitors have until Wednesday, April 6 to change divisions. There are three divisions available — Rx Open, Rx Masters and Rx Scaled. There is no Scaled Masters division. Competitors age 40 and older may select the division that is the best match for their skill set. Competitors who scale or modify any workout element(s) will be scored and featured on the event leaderboard, but are no longer eligible for the finals or podium prize package.

April 2, 2016 | Athena Classic Contributing Sponsors Announced. Help us say thanks to the folks who contribute to the coolest Competitor Registration Bag in area CrossFit competitions and a very exciting Podium Prize Package. Take a moment to visit the website, Facebook Page, Twitter Feed or Instagram account of the Friends of the 2016 Athena Classic:

2016 Athena Classic Registration Opens at 7 p.m. (cst), Tuesday, March 1 | February 28. Registration for the 2016 Athena Classic opens at 7 p.m. (cst), Tuesday, March 1. The competitor field is capped at 80 athletes; athletes have the option to register for the Rx Open (18+), Rx Masters (40+) and Scaled Division (18+).

Athena Classic registration requires three steps:

1.) Sign Up. Create an account on the Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights class registration system and complete the waiver. The Sign In or Sign Up button is in the upper right hand corner of the page. Jump Start Registration Now.

2.) Register. Once registration opens:

> Sign in to your account

> Click on the calendar icon

> Select Athena Classic | Saturday, April 16

> Select Enroll

> Follow the prompts to complete the registration process

3.) Email karen@eadperformancecenter.com with the following information:

Something interesting, fun, unique or random about you. You could become one of the athletes featured in our Competitor Profiles, and receive some special SWAG from our event sponsors.

Possible Workout Components Released.| February 26. A list of possible components for 2016 Athena Classic workouts for the Rx Open, Rx Masters and Scaled Divisions is now posted. The list is not exhaustive, but should give competitors enough information on which division best suits their current performance base. Registration for the 2016 Athena classic opens the week of February 29. 2016 Possible Workout Components.

Save the Date! She’ll Be Back. | April 20. The Athena Classic will return to Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights Saturday, April 16, 2016. The 2015 event sold out in less than three hours … will it sell out faster in 2016?

2015 Athena Classic Wrap Up. | April 19. The 2015 Athena Classic lived up to its billing Saturday, April 18 pitting 80 women from 27 CrossFit affiliates and two states against three fierce workouts to land a spot in the finals, where the top 21 warriors battled for bragging rights, trophies, and cash and prizes. The Athena Classic returns to Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights Saturday, April 16, 2016.

The final workout — a spectator-friendly-but-athlete-nasty skill and strength combo featuring a Handstand Walk and Pistols for the Rx Divisions. and Frog Hop Burpees and Goblet Squats for the Scaled Division — capped an exciting day of competition, and sealed victory for the three division champs.

2014 Masters Division runner-up Jennifer Benson, 41, Big City CrossFit, Chicago, set her sights on denying two-time champ Liza Michelle, CrossFit Carbon, Vernon Hills, a three-peat. Benson dominated the 2015 competition with four first place finishes. Second place finisher Thadine Zajac, 42, CrossFit Roselle, denied Benson a sweep by matching her points total in Workout #2 | “For Malaika.” The workout honored EAD | CFAH athlete Malaika Corsentino who succumbed to brain cancer April 16, just two years after competing in the inaugural Athena Classic. Rounding out the Masters Division was Jodi Corbit, 41, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison, Wis., in third, and Tammy Whaley, 42, A3 CrossFit, Grayslake, and Lesley Ravenscroft, 45, CrossFit Carbon, who tied for fourth. Michelle, fighting a nagging injury, went in to the finals in fourth place, and within striking distance of the podium, but opted not to compete in the final event of the day. Masters Division Leaderboard.

The Scaled Division, new this year, saw several lead changes throughout the day. But Robyn Wall, 23, CrossFit EPC, Lincolnshire, fought back from an eighth place finish in Workout #1b | “Pick Two” to take top honors. Joining Wall on the podium was second place finisher Mary Jo Prusko, 39, Bare Bones CrossFit, Yorkville, and Rachel Druschel, 32, CrossFit Carbon. Scaled Division Leaderboard.

A pair of Ashley’s from CrossFit Kilter, Libertyville — Carlson, 32, and Sisovsky, 28 — battled throughout the day, along with Meghan Carney, 26, CrossFit Carbon. Carlson crushed the final workout, topping the field by more than a minute, to cinch the Rx Division championship. A second place finish by Sisovsky in the final workout of the day wasn’t enough to hold off Carney, who captured division runner up honors. Sisovsky finished third. Rx Division Leaderboard.

In a day filled with stellar athletic performances, a series of most memorable moments came from Master’s Division athlete Jodi Marino, 60, CrossFit Sanctify, Madison, and Regina Pinkston,35, CrossFit Arlington Heights. An accident left Marino with exceptionally limited use of her arm – but full access to her competitive spirit and drive. Pinkston has lot close to 100 pounds since starting CrossFit in January, 2013. The Athena Classic was her first competition, and she’s now registered for the August 8 Tandem Throwdown, also hosted by Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights.

The sold out 2015 Athena Classic was hosted by Elite Athletic Development / CrossFit Arlington Heights and featured the best Competitor Registration Bag in area CrossFit competitions … bar none! Thanks to the following companies for their support of the 2015 Athena Classic (listed in alphabetical order):

Athlete Update Now Posted. | April 12. AnAthlete Updatehas been emailed to all confirmed competitors. If you have any questions after reading the update, please be sure to contact karen@eadperformancecenter.com or post your question(s) on theAthena Classic Facebook Page.

Heat Schedule & Movement Standards Now Posted. | April 10. TheMovement StandardsandHeat Schedule, and an updated order forWorkouts #1, #2 &#3 (revised order) for the2015 Athena Classicare now posted. The top eight competitors in each division at the conclusion of workouts #1, #2 & #3 will advance to the fourth and final workout. Prizes will be awarded to the top three athletes in each division based on performance in all four workouts. TheAthena Classic Leaderboardis available courtesy of our friends atWODLeader. Prize package information will be released the week of April 13.

Thanks to our Supporters! | April 7. Show your appreciation to the following supporters of the 2015 Athena Classic by visiting their website or dropping a message on one of their social media platforms. Of course, there is no better way to say “thanks!” than to spend money with the following businesses. If given the chance, be sure to tell they that you heard about their product and / or service at the 2015 Athena Classic.

Pre-Order KitchFix Meals & Snacks. | April 6.2015 Athena Classic supporterKitchFixhascreated a Special Menufor competitors & spectators. Each item will be made fresh to order and conveniently delivered to EAD | CFAH. Please email your order to karen@eadperformancecenter.com no later than Noon, Friday, April 10.

Updated Competitor Roster Released. | April 3. The competition will be fierce and the PRs a-plenty! Check out the 2015 Athena Classic Roster.

Workouts #1, #2 & #3 Now Posted. | April 1.Workouts #1, #2 & #3 for the 2015 Athena Classic are now posted. Competitors will have until 7 p.m., Thursday, April 2, to email karen@eadperformancecenter.com to change their division. Competitors are welcomed to scale one or more elements of the workouts; doing so will automatically move the athlete to the Scaled Open Division. The top competitors from each division — Scaled Open, Rx Open, and Rx Masters — will vie for position on the Athena Classic Champions Podium in a fourth and final workout. Heat Assignments will be posted Friday, April 10.

The Wait List Is Active.| March 28. Stand by if you are on the 2015 Athena Classic Wait List. We’re beginning to see movement from the Wait List to the Active Event Roster. You will receive an email inviting you to register for the event if we are able to move you to the Active Event Roster. If you are no longer able to compete, please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com so we can alert one of the eager Wait List athletes. Sorry, no refunds if you are unable to compete.

Event Roster Released. |February 25. The 2015 Athena Classic Roster (v1) is now posted. If you would like changes to how your name / affiliate / division appears, please contact karen@eadperformancecenter.com. We have dozens of women on the event Wait List, so if life intervenes and you are unable to compete April 18, please let us know as soon as possible. You will have 24 hours following the release of the first three workouts to change your division.

SOLD OUT! | February 16.Registration was fast & furious Sunday evening, with a majority of the 80 roster slots claimed in the first 90 minutes; event registration went to the Wait List in less than three hours. If you weren’t able to register before the roster filled, please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com and get on the Wait List. There was movement from the Wait List for the 2013 & 2014 events as people earned an individual or team spot for Regionals, or (unfortunately) suffered an injury during the Open, or (fortunately) became pregnant. We will move athletes from the Wait List in the order in which they contacted me. There is no need to pay the registration fee to Wait List.

She’s Ready. Are You Willing? | February 14.Registration for the 2015 Athena Classic opens Sunday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. cst. The registration fee is $75 — the same price as the 2014 event. Field size is limited to 80 competitors. Based on the number of emails and phone calls logged, the field may fill quickly. There is no preferential treatment on registration — 2013 & 2014 podium finishers and competitors, EAD | CFAH athletes, Friends of EAD | CFAH, etc. — will all vie for one of the spots. In the spirit of full disclosure, we did reserve one spot … more on that later. Should we fill all 80 spots, we will start a Wait List. Competitors will move from the Wait List to the Active Roster on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are on the Wait List but don’t make it to the Active Roster, we will refund your registration fee. There will be no other refunds.REGISTER NOW!

Welcome Back, Fierce.Brave. Warriors.| February 14. The 2015 Athena Classic features three divisions: Rx Open (18+), Rx Masters (40+), and Scaled Open (18+). Please review the Division Standards listed below before registering for the event. Event registration opens soon … keep an eye here or on the event Facebook Page for details. The following movements & loads are representative of what you could see during the competition. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and competitors should expect to see additional movements. Workouts #1, #2 & #3 will be released Wednesday, April 1.

All athletes are guaranteed three workouts. The top finishers in the Open Division (18+), Masters Division (40+), and Scaled Division (18+) will face off in the fourth and final event. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. If you plan to compete in the Scaled Open Division and the movements / movement standards are not within your skill set, you are welcomed to scale further, but you will not be eligible for the finals. Our aim is to make this a fun, well-run and competitive event — even if that competition is you versus you for multiple PRs. 2015 Athena Classic Division Standards

2014 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 26 | Competition Overview. The competition overview is now posted. Oh, and did we mention Athena will be back? Save the date! Athena returns Saturday, April 18, 2015.

April 23 Update | Photo Galleries. Take few minutes — or more likely, a few hours — to check out the amazing images captured by the 2014 Athena Classic photographers, Ann Granato Photography (under the More tab) and Snitzer Photography (under the Sports tab). Both artists offer access to low resolution images for free, and an option to purchase high resolution images.

April 20 Update | Event Results. What an amazing day of competition, and gathering of some of the coolest people around. Thanks to the competitors, volunteers and spectators who made the 2014 Athena Classic an event to remember. Congrats to the podium finishers in the Master’s Division — 1st place, Liza Nelson, CrossFit Carbon; 2nd place, Jennifer Benson, Big City CrossFit; 3rd place, Deb Pirkel, CrossFit Sanctify — and in the Open Division — 1st place, Anna Schmidt, CrossFit Sanctify; 2nd place, Ashley Beerens, CrossFit Northpoint; 3rd place, Anne-Lisa Maag, CrossFit Sanctify.

April 16 p.m. UPDATE | Final Competitor Roster & Heat Assignments.The 2014 Athena Classic Roster and 2014 Athena Classic Heat Assignments are now final. Competitors are responsible for knowing their Heat Assignments, start times, and scaling options, and being on the competition floor promptly as scheduled. If you haven’t participated in a previous Elite Athletic Development | CrossFit Arlington Heights events, know that we do our absolute best to keep the event moving and on time. We’ve even been known to be ahead of schedule, so please be prepared. If you were on the Event Wait List and you registered via MindBodyOnline, we will refund your credit card the complete registration fee. On behalf of the entire event staff, we’re sorry that you didn’t receive a call up and we encourage you to register early if you’re interested in the August 9 Tandem Throwdown. We anticipate the the Tandem Throwdown will sell out even faster than the Athena Classic!

April 13 a.m. UPDATE | Heat Assignments + Wait List Update + WOD Briefing Info. The Heat Assignments for Saturday’s event are now posted. Please check to ensure that you see your name posted for WOD #1, WOD #2 & WOD #3. Please contact karen@eadperformancecenter.com if you are not listed for three WODs, or your named is spelled incorrectly / you would prefer to go by a nickname. We will not correct names / spelling on event day … so speak now if you’d like anything changed.

There are two slots listed as “WAIT LIST” on the Heat Assignments. Invites have been issued to the next athletes on the list and they have until Noon, Monday, April 14 to accept or pass the opportunity to compete. Please note that we will freeze the Active Event Roster Wednesday, April 23 and issue no further call ups at that point. If you are on the Wait List and have already paid your entry fee but don’t get called up, we will refund the complete entry fee to the credit card used for the purchase.

Please note that we will run a mandatory Athlete Briefing Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 a.m. for WOD #1 & WOD #2, at 12:45 p.m. for WOD #3, and immediately following the reveal of WOD #4. There will not be time allocated before individual heats to review movements, movement standards or to answer questions. Once we post movement standards, please post any questions you may have to this page. In general, if you adhere to CrossFit movement standards, you will be in good shape. Thanks for your cooperation!

April 4 UPDATE | Workout #1, #2 & #3 Announced.

The first three workouts for the 2014 Athena Classic are now posted. Heat Assignments and Movement Standards will be released Friday, April 11. Any changes / updates / clarification to the first three workouts will be posted — there will be no “surprises” on event day.

March 16 UPDATE | Event Roster Announced. Athena travels with some very tough friends … check out the 2014 Athena Classic Roster. If you no longer plan to compete, please contact karen@eadperformancecenter.com so we can move a very eager and hoping-upon-hope-a-spot-will-open competitor from the wait list.

March 14 UPDATE | Room Block Deadline Reminder. If you plan to book a discounted room at the Courtyard Chicago Arlington Heights / North, please do so before March 28. Check out the March 6 Update for more info.

March 6 UPDATE | Discounted Room Block. We’ve secured a discounted room block for Athena Classic competitors, spectators & sponsors at the Courtyard Chicago Arlington Heights / North, located just minutes from EAD / CFAH at 3700 North Wilke Road, Arlington Heights, 60004. Each Queen / Queen room is $59 + applicable taxes. Book your room(s) today through March 28. The special rate is for Friday, April 18 & Saturday, April 19 only, and breakfast is not included (unlikely that it would be Paleo anyway …). Each guest is responsible for all charges. Book your room by phone at 800.321.2211 or 800.228.9290 and reference Athena Classic at the Courtyard Chicago Arlington Heights/North. Or, Book Online.

2014 ATHENA CLASSIC | SOLD OUT! If you’d like to place your name on the Wait List for the 2014 Athena Classic, please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com. Getting on the Wait List is no guarantee to compete, but it is the only way to move from the sidelines to the competition floor.

SHE’S BACK. AND SHE’S WAITING FOR YOU. Registration for the 2014 Athena Classic is now open. The 2013 event sold out — and in a hurry — so if you’re ready to compete, register today.

Just in … Progenex has joined the Athena Classic team and will provide gift certificates for the top three finishers — $30 for first, $20 for second and $10 for third — in the Open & Master’s Divisions. Thanks, Progenex! Also in is Unbroken CrossFit Outfitters, providing $20 gift certificates for the first place finishers in the Open & Master’s Divisions.

PARKING UPDATE.

Parking for athletes, volunteers & spectators is available at EAD / CFAH, 12 West College Drive; Carlson Labs, 15 West College Drive; Meilner Mechanical Sales, 19 West College Drive; and, AMCA International, 30 West University Drive. Please do not park along the fence line adjacent to the EAD / CFAH garage doors, or on University Drive.

ALMOST $1,300 IN CASH & PRIZES!

CrossFit Arlington Heights / Elite Athletic Development today announced the Prize Package for the top three finishers in the Open and Master’s Divisions of the Athena Classic. Competitors will vie for bragging rights, a trophy and almost $1,300 in cash & prizes. Plus, spectators can enter a raffle drawing for a $50 online gift certificate for US Wellness Meats, free entry to the Salute, Inc. Tactical Challenge, or 12 free classes at CrossFit Arlington Heights / Elite Athletic Development. Raffle details available at the event.

ATHLETE UPDATE l04.18.

An Update Email was issued to all registered athletes Thursday, April 18 at 1:30 p.m. CST. If you are a competitor, please take time to review the email and contact karen@eadperformancecenter.com if you have questions.

We welcome and encourage spectators. There is no admission charge, but a donation to the Northwest Special Recreation Associationis encouraged. Through partnerships with community park districts, local schools and organizations, the NWRSA creates fitness, arts and educational programs for children and adults of all abilities.

The first three workouts for the 2013 Athena Classic are now posted. The fourth and final workout will be announced Saturday afternoon. If a movement or weight is not within your current skill set, you may scale, however, you will not be able to advance to the final workout or be eligible for the more than $600 in cash and prizes.

2013 ATHENA CLASSIC ROSTER CLOSED.

Effective at midnight, April 10, the 2013 Athena Classic competitor roster is closed. Thanks to everyone who registered for the event wait list. We did move a number of people from the wait list to the active event roster, but it was not possible to accommodate the dozens of people on the wait list. We encourage everyone to register early for the 2014 Athena Classic — when our prize package will exceed the more than $600 in cash and prizes we offered this year — to avoid being disappointed.

WAIT LIST UPDATE.

We have begun to move athletes from the wait list to the active event roster. If you are no longer interested in competing, please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com. If you still hope to compete, stand by … we will notify you!

ATHENA CLASSIC SOLD OUT. WAIT LIST CLOSED.

The event is SOLD OUT! and the Wait List is now closed. You will be notified in the coming weeks if you have been moved from the Wait List to the Event Roster. If you are unable to compete, please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com ASAP so we can move an eager (and impatient) athlete from the wait list to the active event roster.

TOO LATE TO REGISTER. STILL TIME TO SPONSOR, VOLUNTEER.

It may be too late to compete in the 2013 Athena Classic, but there is still time to sponsor the event and / or volunteer. Please email karen@eadperformancecenter.com if you are interested in being part of Chicagoland’s first women’s only CrossFit competition.

WORKOUTS #1, #2 & #3.

Workout #1, #2 & #3 will be posted Friday, April 12. Workout #4 will be announced on site, and be contested by the top 12 women in the Open (18-39) and Master’s (40+) divisions.

MOVEMENT STANDARDS

Movement standards for some movements featured in workout #1, #2 & #3 of the SOLD OUT Saturday, April 20 Athena Classic hosted by CrossFit Arlington Heights are now posted. Click the image to watch the video overview.

In addition to the movements featured in the video, registered athletes will be well served to train with the following in mind: lift heavy something(s) ground-to-overhead, crack off Double Unders, carry heavy objects in a variety of positions, run, row, hoist a barbell, and complete a variety of body weight movements.

The inaugural Athena Classic lived up to its billing Saturday, April 20 as 80 women from 24 CrossFit affiliates braved three fierce workouts to land a spot in the finals, where the top 18 warriors battled for bragging rights, trophies, and almost $1,500 in cash and prizes. The Athena Classic will return to CrossFit Arlington Heights Saturday, April 19, 2014.

The final workout — a spectator-friendly-but athlete-nasty combo of a 500m Row, 30 American KB Swings (30#), 20 Pull-Ups and 10 Burpee Box Jumps — capped a great day of competition, and determined the 2013 Athena Classic Champion in the Open (18-39) and Master’s (40+) divisions.

Liza Nelson, 43, CrossFit Carbon, took top honors in the Master’s division after posting a draw for Workout #1 with Thadine Zajac, 40, CrossFit Roselle; placing second to Zajac in Workout #2; and then besting Zajac in Workout #3. The difference between being crowned Master’s Champ and placing second came down to 43 seconds, with Nelson completing Workout #4 in 5 minutes, 14 seconds to Zajac’s 5 minutes and 57 seconds. Rounding out the podium for the Master’s Division was Sue Walton, 42, Cheetah CrossFit, in her first-ever competition. Walton placed third in Workout #1, fourth in Workout #2, first in Workout #3 and fifth in the finals. Also competing in the Master’s Division finals was Kaia Kraus, 40, CrossFit Barrington; Kristin Young, 41, FitBodies CrossFit; and Laura Channell, 42, CrossFit Barrington. Channell edged out Lori Lindahl, 49, CrossFit Arlington Heights, from a finals berth by just one point.

The top three finishers in the Open Division — Jennifer McDade, 35, FitBodies CrossFit; Emily Yates, 29, CrossFit Connex; and Lindsay Wilson, 25, CrossFit E-Town — consistently scored well throughout the day, but each had an Achilles Heel workout that kept them from a lock on the overall standings.

McDade, entered the finals in first place after third place finishes in Workout #1 and #2, and a first place finish in Workout #3. Yates came to the finals in second place after a second place finish in Workout #1, fifth place finish in Workout #2 and third place finish in Workout #3. But Yates peaked at the right time, and her blazing time of 4 minutes and 39 seconds in Workout #4 pushed her past McDade, and to the title 2013 Athena Classic Open Division Champ. Wilson rounded out the top three spots with a first place in Workout #1, second in Workout #2, and ninth in Workout #3. Also competing in the Open Division finals was Julie Curry, 35, and Kelsey Dipman, 30, CrossFit Construct; Erin Matta, 33, CrossFit Barrington; Kasey Pontarelli, 23, and Erin Rupsis, 32, CrossFit Darrien; Tomeka Coe, 37, CrossFit Bloomington-Normal; Michaela Ortega, 22, CrossFit Amplify; and Gina Ciannetti, 31, CrossFit E-Town. Kim Greenstein, 34, placed highest overall among the CrossFit Arlington Heights competitors, with Mary Tapia, 45, and Andrea Poffenberger, 45, placing in the top 10 for Workout #3 and #2, respectively.

Members of FitBodies CrossFit run in competitor Diann Grim during the 800m Run segment of Workout #3.

In a day filled with stellar athletic performances, once of the most memorable moments came when the spectators packed into Elite Athletic Development / CrossFit Arlington Heights poured outside to encourage Diann Grim, 32, as her fellow FitBodies CrossFit athletes and friends ran alongside her as she completed the Workout #3 800m run. Diann, like all competitors, had the option to scale one or more workouts, but she never did. Her gumption and grit inspired those around her, and elevated her performance well above the scores she posted.

An initial batch of event photos is now posted, and more photos will be added in the coming days. Competitors and spectators are encouraged to contribute to the event photo album. Please email photos to karen@eadperformancecenter.com. Event results and more event information is available on the Athena Classic event page.

Grab a friend and cheer on the competitors Saturday, April 20, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Have time to volunteer? See Coach Karen or Coach Jim.

Elite Athletic Development / CrossFit Arlington Heights today announced the first three workouts for the 2013 Athena Classic all-women CrossFit event Saturday, April 20. The fourth workout will be announced Saturday afternoon. Eighty competitors representing 22 CrossFit affiliates from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Oklahoma will battle for more than $600 in cash and merchandise at the sold out Athena Classic.

Women will compete in either the Open (18 – 39 years-old) or Master’s (40 years-old and older) division. The top six Master’s competitors and top 12 Open competitors after three workouts will advance to the finals.

Competition kicks off at 8 a.m., with the finals slated to start at 3:45 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 4:15 p.m. Spectators are welcome.

Elite Athletic Development Mission Statement

To help athletes of all ages, shapes and sizes improve performance, get fit and feel better about themselves by working with knowledgeable and compassionate professionals in a friendly and energetic environment.